Flash memory apparatus having single body type rotary cover

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flash memory apparatus, and more particularly to a flash memory apparatus, wherein a cover is not completely separated from the main body upon being in use so that lost of the cover is prevented.

2. Description of the Related Art

A flash memory is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device also called as a flash RAM (Random Access Memory). The flash memory is also one of variations of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). But unlike the EEPROM erasable and modifiable at the byte level, the flash memory is erasable and modifiable at the block level, so that performance speed is fast. Such flash memory is currently in use for portable memory apparatus in variety of apparatus including digital cellular phone, digital camera, LAN (Local Area Network) switch, PC card, and digital setup box or inner controller for notebook computer. Furthermore, as memory capacity has been remarkably increased recently, even the flash memory of giga byte capacity is put on the market and actively in use.

In the meantime, an USB port (Universal Serial Bus port) is one of serial ports drawing attention with introduction of Windows 98, operating system for a computer. The USB port plays a role of plug and play interfacing between computer and peripheral devices such as audio player, joystick, keyboard, telephone, scanner, printer, or between computer and flash memory. In relation to the flash memory, the computer could read data stored in the flash memory through such USB port or could record necessary data on the flash memory.

In the meantime, the flash memory apparatus of the related art has a cover for protecting the USB port to prevent the USB port from being damaged or to prevent alien substances from penetrating into the USB port. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a </i>and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>b </i>are front views showing keeping and usage status for the flash memory apparatus having a separation type cover of the prior art. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a </i>and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>b</i>, the flash memory apparatus having the separation type cover of the prior art, roughly consists of a flash memory main body <b>10</b> for receiving a memory element (not shown) in its inside, and a cover <b>20</b>. Additionally, an USB terminal piece <b>11</b> electrically connected with the memory element in the inside and joined to the USB port, is projected from the front end of the memory main body <b>10</b>, and a front end closely joining part <b>12</b> of a predetermined length, where the cover <b>20</b> is forcibly fit in and confined therein, is formed on the periphery of the USB terminal piece <b>11</b>. A fixing threshold <b>13</b> for preventing the cover <b>20</b> from being inserted further, is formed at the rear end of the front end of the closely joining part <b>12</b>.

Also, a terminal closely joining part <b>14</b> of a predetermined length, where the cover <b>20</b> is forcibly fit in and confined therein, is formed also at the terminal of the memory main body <b>10</b>, and a fixing threshold <b>13</b> for preventing the cover <b>20</b> from being moved forward further, is formed at the front end of the terminal closely joining part <b>14</b>.

With the flash memory apparatus provided with the separation type cover having the foregoing construction in case of using the flash memory apparatus, a <b>25</b> user applies force on the cover <b>20</b> tit in the front end closely joining part <b>12</b>, for enclosing the USB terminal piece <b>11</b> in order to expose the USB terminal piece <b>11</b>, and then joins the exposed USB terminal piece <b>11</b> to the USB port of the computer. A user may insert the separated cover <b>20</b> to the terminal closely joining part <b>14</b>, temporarily keeping the same so that the separated cover <b>20</b> is not lost. In case that using the flash memory is completed, a user separates the cover <b>20</b> inserted in the terminal closely joining part <b>14</b>, and keeps the flash memory apparatus with the cover <b>20</b> inserted in the front end closely joining part <b>12</b>.

But, according to the flash memory apparatus having the separation type cover of the prior art as described above, a user may not put the cover on the front end or terminal closely joining part, but may put the cover elsewhere, whereby the cover is lost. In the meantime, situations frequently occur wherein the status of the joint between the USB terminal piece and the front end closely joining part, or the terminal of the closely joining part, loosens so that the cover is detached from the USB terminal piece. In that case, the USB terminal portion of the flash memory apparatus may be damaged or an alien substance may enter the USB terminal piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above identified problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flash memory apparatus having a single body type rotary cover, wherein a cover is not completely separated from the main body during use so that loss of the cover is prevented.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are realized by providing a flash memory apparatus having a single body type, rotary cover including: a flash memory main body including a rectangular shaped case within which a memory element is mounted with an USB terminal piece electrically connected with the memory element and installed at a front end of the case in a projecting manner. A hinge protuberance is foamed on at least one side of the case. A pair of parallel plate members facing each other with an interval corresponding to the thickness of the case defines a cover having an open front end. The cover has a closed rear end and lateral sides which are open. The parallel plate members have a at least one hinge hole receiving the hinge protuberance for allowing the cover to pivot on the case, so that the cover is rotated with respect to the flash memory main body, whereby the USB terminal piece is received in an inner space of the cover or exposed outside the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a </i>and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>b </i>are front views showing keeping and usage status for a flash memory apparatus having a separation type cover of the prior art;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an exploded, perspective view of a flash memory apparatus having a single body type, rotary cover according to the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>a </i>and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>b </i>are perspective views showing keeping and usage status, respectively, for a flash memory apparatus having a single body type rotary cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic cross-sectional view for a portion, taken along line A—A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>a. </i>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements in different drawings.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an exploded, perspective view of a flash memory apparatus having a single body type rotary cover of the present invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>a </i>and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>b </i>are perspective views showing storage and usage status for a flash memory apparatus having a single body type rotary cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the portion, taken along line A—A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>a</i>. As shown in FIG. <b>2</b> through <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the flash memory apparatus having a single body type rotary cover of the present invention, includes a flash memory main body <b>30</b> and a cover <b>40</b> integrally joined to the flash memory main body <b>30</b>. A case <b>31</b> for such flash memory main body <b>30</b> is of a rectangular shape having a width wider than its thickness. Additionally, a memory element (not shown) is received in the interior of the case. Also, an USB terminal piece <b>32</b>, electrically connected with the memory element and joined to an USB port of a computer, is projected from a front end of the case <b>31</b>. A hinge protuberance <b>33</b> for functioning as a rotation shaft of a cover <b>40</b> is provided on an appropriate position of a front side and a rear side of the case <b>31</b>. Such hinge protuberance <b>33</b> may be formal integrally with the case <b>31</b>, or may be manufactured in form of a separate element so that the hinge protuberance <b>33</b> is assembled by means of an adhesive agent (The present embodiment shows the latter case). Also, a closely joining protuberance <b>35</b> for fixing the cover <b>40</b> in a forcibly fitting manner upon storage as described in the following description is formed on one lateral side of the case <b>31</b>.

The cover <b>40</b> has a cavity therein and is of a shape having width wider than its thickness, namely ‘U’ shaped, when viewed laterally. The cover <b>40</b> has open end and a closed end. Adjacent to its open end the cover has a circular hinge hole <b>41</b> for receiving the hinge protuberance <b>33</b> formed on the flash memory main body <b>30</b>. Furthermore, a hooking groove <b>34</b> is preferably formed on the lower periphery of the hinge protuberance <b>33</b>. A hooking threshold <b>45</b> is hooked on the hooking groove <b>34</b> and is preferably formed on a rim confining the hinge hole <b>41</b> in order to prevent the hinge hole <b>41</b> from being easily detached from the hinge protuberance <b>33</b> after joining of the hinge hole <b>41</b> and the hinge protuberance <b>33</b>. In that case, the upper portion of the hooking groove <b>34</b> is tapered such that its top is narrow and its bottom is wide so that the hooking threshold <b>45</b> is smoothly inserted into the hooking groove <b>34</b>. The inner edge in the lower part of the hooking threshold <b>45</b> that comes into contact with the upper portion of the hooking groove <b>34</b> upon insertion is preferably rounded.

The length from the center of the hinge hole <b>41</b> of the cover <b>40</b> to the closed terminal should be longer than the length from the center of the hinge protuberance <b>33</b> of the flash memory main body <b>30</b> to the terminal end. Additionally, the width of the cover <b>40</b> is preferably about the same as that of the case <b>31</b> or a little wider. At least one side of the cover <b>40</b> should be opened so that the flash memory main body <b>30</b> is allowed to go in and out of the cover <b>40</b>. One part of the other side, however, is preferably closed in order to prevent alien substances from penetrating into the interior of the cover <b>40</b>. The aforementioned one part is referred to “closing part <b>43</b>”, and the opened part is referred to “fixing groove <b>42</b>” hereinafter. For a close joint the protuberance <b>35</b> is fixed in the opened part in a force fit upon storing of the flash memory main body <b>30</b> in the cover <b>40</b>.

In case the flash memory main body <b>30</b> is stored by the foregoing stricture, the closely joining protuberance <b>35</b> is tightly joined to the fixing groove <b>42</b> with the flash memory main body <b>30</b> received in the interior of the cover <b>40</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>a</i>. Therefore, as long as more than a predetermined external force is not applied, the status that the flash memory main body <b>30</b> is received in the interior of the cover <b>40</b>, is stored as is. Of course, in that status, the flash memory main body <b>30</b> is not rotated within the cover <b>40</b> by the closing part.

When it is intended to use the flash memory apparatus in storage within the cover <b>40</b>, a user holds the cover and rotates the flash memory main body <b>30</b> in an arrow direction as indicated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>a </i>so as to expose the USB terminal piece <b>32</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref><i>b</i>. With such exposed status, a user connects the USB terminal piece <b>32</b> to the USB port of the computer.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the function of the closely joining protuberance <b>35</b> formed on the flash memory main body <b>30</b>, could be realized on an appropriate position in a front or a rear side. In that case, position of the fixing groove <b>42</b> formed on the cover <b>40</b> will be changed correspondingly. Also, the hinge protuberance could he formed on the cover and the hinge hole could be formed on the flash memory main body. Furthermore, the hinge protuberance could be formed on only one side between the front and the rear sides of the case, and also, only one hinge hole for receiving the hinge protuberance could be provided to the cover.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to the flash memory apparatus having the single body type rotary cover of the present invention, the cover is confined to the flash memory main body, so that there is no possibility that the cover is lost and the USB terminal piece is damaged, whereby durability of the flash memory apparatus is improved.